BT broadband routers 2026: What will I get?
Miles Northrop | May 13th, 2026
BT is the UK’s biggest broadband provider and, like other providers, will give you a free router if you sign up to one of its broadband deals. As of May 2026, BT has finally upgraded its standard router to the Smart Hub 3 – and we're pleased to be able to finally report, it now has Wi-Fi 6 technology! That's something the previous router lacked, and was starting to make it seem very long in the tooth. So that's great to see.
The supplied router with any provider is something that shouldn’t be overlooked when searching for a new broadband deal. Your router is the device that connects you to the wider world and the gatekeeper that stops outside threats from getting into your home network. But now with Wi-Fi 6, the Smart Hub 3 is finally starting to feel up to snuff with the competition. Let's take a closesr look.
How to get a BT broadband router
In theory, there are two ways to get hold of a BT router. You'll automatically get a router free with any BT broadband deal, and – ordinarily – you can also buy a router outright from BT. That's primarily available to BT customers on legacy packages who may not qualify to get one of the new routers for free. However, with the rollout of the new Smart Hub 3, availability may well be a bit limited for a while.
The BT Hubs can work with some other providers – we’re thinking specifically of the BT-owned Plusnet or EE here and maybe some of the other providers who use the Openreach network. But they definitely won’t work with Virgin Media, and are less likely to work with Sky or TalkTalk. If you’re thinking of replacing your old free router, take a look at our guide to using your own router for broadband.
At the time of this article being updated in May 2026, virtually all BT Broadband packages now come with the Smart Hub 3, from the relatively lowly Fibre 1, all the way up to the 900Mbps Full Fibre. However, if you're on an ADSL connection or on entry-level 35Mbps Fibre (which is increasingly unlikely), you're more likely to be offered a previous generation Smart Hub 2.
If you have opted for range-topping 900Mbps Full Fibre, you're finally being provided with a router that's up to the job – something that wasn't necessarily the case with the previous Smart Hub 2. The new unit now supports Wi-Fi 6, which should enable you to take full advantage of those heady speeds. Although it remains the case that more cutting-edge tech is available to BT-owned EE Broadband customers, who now have Wi-Fi 7 via their flagship router.
To improve your home internet set-up, you can also sign up for BT Halo. The latest version, Halo 3+, guarantees you a reliable internet service by providing you with Hybrid Connect, a backup 4G mini router that automatically connects to the EE network if your main broadband connection goes down. Additionally, Halo 3+ includes Complete Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi discs to ensure strong coverage throughout your home (and if not, you can claim money back!). It also offers a price promise that ensures no mid-contract price rises.
In most cases, you can expect your new BT router to arrive in the post within a couple of weeks of signing up to a new BT package or of upgrading to Halo 3 if you’re an existing BT customer. An engineer is usually dispatched to connect you after about 14 days, too, but this can sometimes take longer.
Fibre 2
Personal speed guarantee
67Mb
Average speed
No phone line
24
Month contract
Zero upfront cost
£24.99 Per month
Effective monthly cost is calculated by adding up all the monthly costs, price rises and any discounts and dividing it by the contract length.
Claim your BT Reward Card within 3 months of placing your order by entering your details on www.bt.com/manage/bt-reward-card/. You must activate the card within 3 months of it being issued.
Full Fibre Gigafast
600Mbps speed guarantee£5 fee refunded to first billPrice may change again during minimum term
900Mb
Average speed
Pay as you go calls
24
Month contract
Zero upfront cost
£30.00 Per month
Effective monthly cost is calculated by adding up all the monthly costs, price rises and any discounts and dividing it by the contract length.
You will be sent instructions on how to choose your Gift Card up to 120 days after your purchase. You will have 90 days to claim your Gift Card by sending it to your email or mobile phone.
Full Fibre 900
Prices may vary depending on location
900Mb
Average speed
No phone line
24
Month contract
Zero upfront cost
£31.99 Per month
Effective monthly cost is calculated by adding up all the monthly costs, price rises and any discounts and dividing it by the contract length.
Claim your BT Reward Card within 3 months of placing your order by entering your details on www.bt.com/manage/bt-reward-card/. You must activate the card within 3 months of it being issued.
BT Smart Hub 3 features
Not all routers are the same. Understandably, many of us leave them untouched in the corner of the room once they’re up and running (or hide the things out of view), but there are a number of features worth paying attention to, which we’ll go through now.
BT Smart Hub 3 specifications
- Wi-Fi 6 standard – The Smart Hub 3 uses the the wireless standard (802.11ax) to deliver faster speeds and handle multiple devices efficiently
- Smart channel selection – The Smart Hub automatically connects your devices to the fastest Wi-Fi channel and frequency available
- Smart scan – Automatically checks and optimizes connections and reboots if issues arise
- Dual band – Like many modern routers, the Smart Hub uses both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
- Four gigabit Ethernet ports – Like its predecessor, the Smart Hub 3 has four gigabit Ethernet ports, so you can use a wired connection for up to four devices
- Seven antennae – The Hub has seven aerials, again matching the previous Smart Hub 2
- LEDs can be switched off – Sometimes these little things matter, and not all of us want a display of lights constantly flashing in the corner of the room. You can even just dim them
- DECT phone compatible – The Smart Hub 3 supports Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), a digital standard for landline phones. You can connect BT Digital Voice handsets or plug analogue phones into the green phone port
- Complete Wi-Fi – BT Complete Wi-Fi uses one or more discs to give you better Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home
If there are any unfamiliar terms you’d like a more in-depth explanation of, check out our jargon-busting guide.
Fibre 2
Personal speed guarantee
67Mb
Average speed
No phone line
24
Month contract
Zero upfront cost
£24.99 Per month
Effective monthly cost is calculated by adding up all the monthly costs, price rises and any discounts and dividing it by the contract length.
Claim your BT Reward Card within 3 months of placing your order by entering your details on www.bt.com/manage/bt-reward-card/. You must activate the card within 3 months of it being issued.
Full Fibre 900
Prices may vary depending on location
900Mb
Average speed
No phone line
24
Month contract
Zero upfront cost
£31.99 Per month
Effective monthly cost is calculated by adding up all the monthly costs, price rises and any discounts and dividing it by the contract length.
Claim your BT Reward Card within 3 months of placing your order by entering your details on www.bt.com/manage/bt-reward-card/. You must activate the card within 3 months of it being issued.
Full Fibre 150
Personal speed guarantee
150Mb
Average speed
No phone line
24
Month contract
Zero upfront cost
£26.99 Per month
Effective monthly cost is calculated by adding up all the monthly costs, price rises and any discounts and dividing it by the contract length.
Claim your BT Reward Card within 3 months of placing your order by entering your details on www.bt.com/manage/bt-reward-card/. You must activate the card within 3 months of it being issued.
Setting up a BT Smart Hub 3
If an engineer is required to get your BT broadband up and running, they should also set up your router for you. If not, then you just might end up having to do it yourself. There’s no need to worry though, it’s a pretty simple process.
The first thing to do, once you’ve taken everything out of the box, is to connect your Smart Hub 3 directly to the Openreach modem (ONT) with the supplied ethernet cable. Connect it from the Port/LAN1 slot on the ONT to the WAN port on the Smart Hub 3. You’ll then need to plug it into the mains, then hit the power button and wait for the light to turn blue before you can start connecting your devices.
Once your router is up and running, we’d suggest you start making it as secure as possible.
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Legacy BT routers
The Smart Hub 3 is the only router supplied with domestic BT Broadband now, but there are still a number of other BT routers out there among existing customers who've been with BT quite a while. Here's a quick rundown:
- Home Hub 3 – This hub is no longer offered by BT but it’s likely there are still a fair number of customers using one. It features Smart Scan tech and has four Ethernet ports but only single band Wi-Fi (there’s no support for the 5GHz band) and just two aerials
- Home Hub 4 – Previously supplied with BT’s ADSL broadband package, this router is no longer provided to new customers. It has four antennae and dual-band Wi-Fi, although it’s not 'next generation' stuff. There are also four Ethernet ports (not gigabit ports, though), and the Smart Scan feature is present
- Home Hub 5 – The Hub 5 is no longer available with BT broadband deals, but you can still pick one up from retailers including Amazon. It has five antennae and more advanced Wi-Fi tech than the Hub 4, as well as four gigabit Ethernet ports
- Smart Hub – The Smart Hub was phased and replaced by the the Smart Hub 2, which until May 2026 was supplied with the majority of BT Fibre packages
- Smart Hub 2 – The Smart Hub 2 enabled the use of Complete Wi-Fi and DECT phones which the earlier hub didn't. It's now been replaced by its successor, the Smart Hub 3 which is now being supplied with all domestic BT Fibre packages and includes the much improved Wi-Fi 6 technology
